WI vs ENG: England announce playing XI for second Test, Saqib Mahmood to make debut

Fast bowler Saqib Mahmood is set to make his Test debut as England have announced their playing XI for the second Test match against West Indies, which gets underway on Wednesday (March 16) at the Kensington Oval in Barbados. Mahmood comes in place of fellow fast bowler Mark Wood, who sustained an elbow injury during the opening Test in Antigua.

Meanwhile, there hasn’t been any other change in the line-up as Ollie Robinson will continue to warm the benches. The fast bowler, who missed the Antigua Test due to a back spasm, hasn’t been risked. This means the likes of Chris Woakes and Craig Overton will have another opportunity to make a mark.

Eyes will be on Alex Lees

Meanwhile, England have persisted with opener Alex Lees, who had a forgettable Test debut in Antigua as he returned with scores of four and six. Besides him, all-rounder Ben Stokes, who took three wickets in the contest, couldn’t make his bat talk much either. He recorded scores of 36 and 13 in the drawn affair.

Nonetheless, the like of skipper Joe Root, Jonny Bairstow and Zak Crawley slammed impressive centuries and they won’t mind replicating their heroics. It must be noted that England have a point to prove in the ongoing series as their previous Test assignment was nothing but horrendous. Joe Root’s men suffered a 0-4 drubbing from the hands of arch-rivals Australia in Ashes earlier this year.

That campaign propelled several significant changes in the team and in the coaching staff as well. In fact, veteran pacers James Anderson and Stuart Broad also faced the axe. Hence, Joe Root’s men would be determined to walk away with a better result against West Indies. As the first of the three matches ended in a draw, the winner of the second clash will earn an unassailable 1-0 lead. Hence, both sides have a lot to play for.

England’s playing XI for second Test against West Indies: Alex Lees, Zak Crawley, Joe Root (c), Daniel Lawrence, Ben Stokes, Jonny Bairstow, Ben Foakes (wk), Chris Woakes, Craig Overton, Jack Leach, Saqib Mahmood